🔗 Share this article

Donald Trump’s latest warning to introduce an further full import duty on Chinese goods has been described as a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that the nation could implement its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the White House occupant follows through on his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a potential commercial battle.

This past Friday, Donald Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its rules for exports of critical elements, charging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Additionally, he threatened to cancel a planned meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a meeting in the Republic of Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on Friday rattled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

His comments reignited apprehensions of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had consented to remove significant levies on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two nations.

Consequently, US tariffs on products from China facing an extra import tax compared with the beginning of 2025, while US goods entering the country face a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – released by the Commerce Ministry in the form of official answers to journalist’s questions – reflected rhetoric from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on electronic components while supporting China’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “normal actions” to protect national security and that of all nations.

The spokesperson stated that for “a long time”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, exploited export control measures and “enforced” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to engage with China,” the official commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has always been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, China announced it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on key elements and further resources critical for cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a key move, as the nation processes about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in goods such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

The recent comments from both governments are being interpreted by some as a means of enhancing bargaining power prior to forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a meeting between the former president and President Xi, scheduled at a summit in Seoul before month’s end, will go ahead.